Basic Bio-Tribological Performance of Insulating Si3N4-Based Ceramic as Human Body Replacement Joints

Huaqiang Li,Wei Chen,Chen Zhang,Hongxing Shi,Xingwei Liu,Lisheng Zhong

doi:10.3390/coatings11080938

Abstract

The paper presents an in-depth study of the bio-tribological performance on silicon nitride matrix ceramic composites containing hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) with different content. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) under simulated body fluid lubrication, and the simulated body fluid-lubricated sliding tests were performed on a universal friction and wear tester. The results showed that the incorporation of hBN into silicon nitride matrix reduced the friction coefficients from 0.27 for Si3N4/UHMWPE pair to 0.16 for Si3N4-20%hBN/UHMWPE with full immersion in simulated body fluid lubrication. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser scanning microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were utilized to characterize the wear surface. The analysis results indicated that, with simulated body fluid lubrication, the interfacial between hBN and Si3N4 facilitated the wear pits to form on the wear surface, and the residual wear particles deposited in the pits. Then, tribochemical products were formed on the wear surface, which protected and smoothed the wear surface of the sliding pair in the simulated body fluid.

Highlights

It is well known that, with the development of economy, technology and medicine, the mean lifespan of human constantly improve
Si [6] indicated that ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was suited to acetabular components of hip joint and cushions, while UHMWPE could not be applied for total joint
Bioceramic materials have been investigated for joint replacement because of their reduced wear rates and an increased corrosion resistance, such as calcium phosphate materials [7,8], alumina ceramic [9] and zirconia [10]

Summary

Introduction

It is well known that, with the development of economy, technology and medicine, the mean lifespan of human constantly improve. Polymer and ceramic could be all utilized as the hip replacement bearing materials. Our team focused on the bio-tribological properties, and found that addition of hBN significantly reduced the friction coefficient of Si3 N4 /TC4 bearing couple under simulated body fluid due to the formation of tribofilm [21]. It was demonstrated that sliding velocity and contact load have obvious influence on the tribological behaviors of Si3 N4 -20%hBN/HXLPE bearing couple under simulated body fluid [22]. The influence of hBN content on the bio-tribological performance of Si3 N4 /HXLPE bearing couple under simulated body fluid has not been systematically studied. The tribological properties of Si3 N4 -hBN composite ceramics with different hBN contents sliding on UHMWPE were studied in simuated body fluid. The anti-friction of hBN was studied in this paper

Test Rig and Materials

Procedure

Discussion

N4increase disc against pure

Conclusions